A comparative study of the chewing cycles of dentate and denture-wearing subjects.

Patterns of incisal point movements during habitual and unilateral chewing of 35 complete denture wearers and a control group of 35 dentate subjects were analyzed using a Sirognathograph. The graphs of the lengths, angles, and envelopes of motion made during habitual chewing cycles by complete denture wearers were analyzed and found to be similar to those of dentate subjects. However, when analyzing the graphs of separate chewing cycles at the beginning of unilateral chewing, significant differences in the movement performance were found using the same parameters. The analysis of areas where some tooth contacts occurred defined the differences in performing contact movements during chewing.